Contact Details for the ICB can be found here.

Website

or information or advice on our services, please contact us: 0300 123 1461
ssotics.comms@staffsstoke.icb.nhs.uk

To view our Statement of Intent: Offering and Promoting Patient Online Services Policy, please click here.

Our Emergency Prescriptions Policy can be found here.

The NHS operate a zero tolerance policy with regard to violence and abuse and the practice has the right to remove violent patients from the list with immediate effect in order to safeguard practice staff, patients and other persons. Violence in this context includes actual or threatened physical violence or verbal abuse which leads to fear for a person’s safety. In this situation we will notify the patient in writing of their removal from the list and record in the patient’s medical records the fact of the removal and the circumstances leading to it.

We make every effort to give the best service possible to everyone who attends our practice.

However, we are aware that things can go wrong resulting in a patient feeling that they have a genuine cause for complaint. If this is so, we would wish for the matter to be settled as quickly, and as amicably, as possible.

To pursue a complaint please contact the practice manager who will deal with your concerns appropriately. Further written information is available regarding the complaints procedure from reception or by clicking here.

In accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998 and Access to Health Records Act, patients may request to see their medical records. Such requests should be made through the practice manager and may be subject to an administration charge. No information will be released without the patient consent unless we are legally obliged to do so.

Information about the General Practioners and the practice required for disclosure under this act can be made available to the public. All requests for such information should be made to the practice manager.

The practice complies with data protection and access to medical records legislation. Identifiable information about you will be shared with others in the following circumstances:

• To provide further medical treatment for you e.g. from district nurses and hospital services.
• To help you get other services e.g. from the social work department. This requires your consent.
• When we have a duty to others e.g. in child protection cases.
• Anonymised patient information will also be used at local and national level to help the Health Board and Government plan services e.g. for diabetic care.

If you do not wish anonymous information about you to be used in such a way, please let us know.

Reception and administration staff require access to your medical records in order to do their jobs. These members of staff are bound by the same rules of confidentiality as the medical staff.

Training

Trent Vale Medical Practice is an approved training practice for General Practitioners. GP registrars will be undertaking surgeries and developing their skills within the practice. These doctors have spent 3 or more years in hospitals prior to entering primary care and are a valuable addition to the practice team.

The practice also supports medical students from Keele University who attend to apply the theory they have learned in a practical setting.

Both the trainee and the trainer benefit from this process by ensuring that we keep up to date with the very latest medical knowledge and techniques.

We thank you in advance for your help and co-operation in this but if you do not wish to be seen with a student present please inform the reception staff when you book in.

Research

The practice is fully computerised which means that your medical records are held on computer. We provide anonymised medical information to Keele University for vital research.

We also share information with the Health Authority, Hospitals and other NHS bodies.

We feel that this is essential for the care of our patients and to help improve NHS services.

Occasionally Keele University may send out a patient questionnaire about a condition they are particularly interested in studying. If you have this condition you may be contacted. Although you are not required to reply we would be extremely grateful if you would do so: this will help the advancement of medical knowledge in the future.

There is a new Central NHS Computer System called the Summary Care Record (SCR). It is an electronic record which contains information about the medicines you take, allergies you suffer from and any bad reactions to medicines you have had.

Why do I need a Summary Care Record?

Storing information in one place makes it easier for healthcare staff to treat you in an emergency, or when your GP practice is closed.

This information could make a difference to how a doctor decides to care for you, for example which medicines they choose to prescribe for you.

Who can see it?

Only healthcare staff involved in your care can see your Summary Care Record.

How do I know if I have one?

Over half of the population of England now have a Summary Care Record. You can find out whether Summary Care Records have come to your area by looking at our interactive map or by asking your GP

Do I have to have one?

No, it is not compulsory. If you choose to opt out of the scheme, then you will need to complete a form and bring it along to the surgery. You can use the form at the foot of this page.

More Information

For further information visit the NHS Care records website

Download the opt out form >>>>